For your consideration: 10 new fall series getting the most buzz

Viewers get first look at AppleTV+, Disney+ originals

Kathryn Hahn is superb as a single mom in her 40s facing an empty nest after her obnoxious son leaves for college in 'Mrs. Fletcher.'HBO

The fall TV season was already way too overwhelming, what with its tidal wave of brand new shows.

And now Disney and Apple are both poised to leap into the streaming pool — as if your attention (and wallet) weren't strained enough.

How can anyone possibly keep up?

That's where we come in. To help narrow your focus — and prevent your DVR from suffering a stroke — we've laboriously sifted through all the fresh fare from the broadcast networks, cable channels and streamers to uncover 10 gems that are worth your while.

Keep in mind that in most cases we've seen only the pilot episode and, in a couple cases, just preview clips. So some of our picks could fall short of expectations. But for now, these are the shows — listed in the order of their premiere dates — that have us most excited:

'Stumptown' (ABC)

Cobie Smulders ("How I Met Your Mother") gets her chance to be a kick-butt leading lady in this well-paced action drama based on a graphic novel. She plays Dex Parios, a brash, sharp-witted army veteran who now works as a private investigator in Portland, Ore.

Smulders brings the character to life with plenty of charismatic swagger, spirited banter and cardio-intensive stunts. (Sept. 25).

'The Politician' (Netflix)

Netflix forked over a gigantic pile of cash to lure iconoclastic producer Ryan Murphy ("Glee"; "American Horror Story"; "Pose") into its tent. Was it worth it?

Murphy's first series for the streaming titan follows Payton Hobart (Ben Platt), a wealthy student at a fancy private high school who, since the age of 7, has obsessed about occupying the Oval Office. Entitled and spoiled, he's determined not to let anything — and we mean anything — get in his way, starting with a shady campaign for student body president. (Sept. 27).

'Evil' (CBS)

Robert King and his wife Michelle, the masterminds behind "The Good Wife" and "The Good Fight," venture out of the courtroom to dabble in a chilling psychological mystery.

The series follows a skeptical forensic psychologist (Katja Herbers, "Westworld") who joins a priest-in-training (Mike Colter, "Luke Cage") as they investigate the Catholic Church's backlog of unexplained mysteries, including supposed miracles, demonic possessions and hauntings.

Network television could use a few more squirm-inducing scares and "Evil" delivers on that front. But it also serves up some doses of humor. (Sept. 28).

'Back To Life' (Showtime)

This offbeat British comedy, which first aired on the BBC, has been compared by some to the darkly hilarious hit "Fleabag." That's a high bar to reach, but it has lots of fun trying.

Like "Fleabag," this six-episode series follows a woman (Daisy Haggard) struggling with existential angst. In this case, she's fresh out of prison after serving 18 years for murder (did we mention it's a comedy?). Now she's trying to lead a normal life in her lovely but claustrophobic seaside hometown, where the mystery of her past hangs in the air.

You'll cringe almost as much as you laugh. (Oct. 6).

'Nancy Drew' (The CW)

The iconic mystery book character who was introduced to readers in 1930 comes to prime time with a contemporary, CW-style makeover. Think "Riverdale" with its attractive teens, romantic entanglements and lots of moody intrigue.

Newcomer Kennedy McMann is both appealing and convincing as the brilliant young sleuth who works troubling criminal cases — including one in which she's a prime suspect. (Oct. 9).

'Modern Love' (Amazon Prime)

The popular New York Times column (and podcast), which features reader-submitted essays about relationships, marriage and dating, is the inspiration for this star-studded, instantly addictive anthology series.

Among the high-profile performers appearing in Season 1 are Tina Fey (as a wife in a rocky marriage), Anne Hathaway (a bipolar woman looking for love) and Cristin Milioti (a single book critic who bonds with the doorman of her building). (Oct. 18).

Writer-producer Damon Lindelof ("Lost," "The Leftovers") has never been afraid to take big, bold creative swings. Here he reimagines and updates an acclaimed graphic novel in a way that might tick off some of its diehards, but promises to be a mind-blowing piece of television.

His complex saga takes place some 30 years after the events of the comic book and is populated by new characters. It's set in an alternate America where Robert Redford is president (yes, really) and police officers (including Regina King and Don Johnson) wear masks to hide their identities amid a raging terrorist threat from a group of white supremacists.

The ultra-dense pilot episode is a challenge, but packs the kind of emotional heft and hypnotic visuals that leave you hungry for more. (Oct. 20).

'Mrs. Fletcher' (HBO)

Kathryn Hahn is always a joy to watch and this wry mid-life character study is no exception.

Adapted by Tom Perrotta ("The Leftovers") from his own novel, the series follows Eve Fletcher, a bashful, empty-nest single mother in her mid-40s who opens herself to new experiences after her son goes off to college. She has new experiences like internet porn and a creative writing class.

Meanwhile, her once very popular jock son finds college a daunting challenge as he struggles to make connections with his more socially and politically aware fellow students. Score one for mom. (Oct. 27).

'The Morning Show' (Apple TV+)

Jennifer Anniston ("Friends") and Steve Carell ("The Office") return to television in this juicy drama series that explores the high-stakes world of daybreak news, along with the bloated egos and ruthless power plays that go with it.

The series, which promises to delve deeply into #MeToo issues, includes Billy Crudup, Mark Duplass and Gugu Mbatha-Raw among its impressive cast. But will it be enough to get you to subscribe to yet another streaming service? (Nov. 1).

'The Mandalorian' (Disney+)

Disney clearly is trying to make a big splash as it enters the streaming fray with the first live-action "Star Wars" TV series.

"Game of Thrones" veteran Pedro Pascal plays the title character — a mysterious, armor-clad gun fighter who hails from Mandalore (the home of bounty hunter Boba Fett) and works in the outer reaches of the galaxy. "The Mandalorian" is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order, which would place it somewhere between "Return of the Jedi" and "The Force Awakens." (Nov. 12).